Preparation/Planning

But you might have to learn how to fold one.  Yeah, I bought a folding bicycle.  I decided that I needed something other than my behemoth GMC 3500 diesel dually to take to the corner store to get a quart of milk.  And when we are in Venice Beach I will be able to keep … Continue reading »

It is August 1st and it is beginning to dawn on me that in just over six weeks I will be unemployed and homeless for the first time ever. The prospect is scary. I am discarding the employment security that I have known since high school and will trade in my sensible job for a … Continue reading »

Time is getting so short – just 8 weeks now – that we have started lining up our “farewell tour,” the series of goodbye parties with close friends and relatives.  My sister-in-law has taken care of the family part of the tour (or at least Jett’s family) by arranging a combo birthday/goodbye event for Saturday, … Continue reading »

$85.  That is what I paid yesterday to find out how little I know yet about our fifth wheel.  I think I have mentioned that the water heater has been misbehaving.  Nothing but hot water (in both hot and cold feeds!) one day, nothing but cold water the next.  We might have hot water for … Continue reading »

We will be signing a lease today to rent the house.  This was the last known impediment to our Great Escape and by tonight it will be out of our way.  There is nothing to stop us now.  Or, more to the point, now we HAVE to go because as of September 1 we have … Continue reading »

We are increasingly feeling like visitors in our own home.  A rubbish removal guy came yesterday to clear the basement.  Some other stuff from the porch stash went to the AmVets.  Rita’s brother was with us most of the week painting the living room, dining room and basement.  I almost don’t recognize the place anymore.  … Continue reading »

The first night in the fiver was mostly successful.  We brought up a whole truckload of stuff (about 300 lbs – we weighed it all) and got “settled in” in a minimal sort of way.  We cooked our first meal – mac and cheese on the stove and burgers on the grill.  The refrigerator is … Continue reading »

No, not New Year’s Ever, silly… our FIRST NIGHT in the fifth wheel.  This is when we find out if we can sleep in the thing.  Or maybe we find out that we need to upgrade the mattress.  And the dogs try to figure out where they will sleep. Should be interesting.

Sunday was a beautiful day in Medford, MA.  The sun was out, the birds were singing and all was right with the world.  It was a great day to lounge on the deck and have a couple of brewskis. But we weren’t on the deck.  We were sweltering in the 100-degree attic, doing a second … Continue reading »

I am making progress on my To Do list, but it has become clear that I can’t do it all myself.  Fortunately we won two painting jobs at a charity silent auction, so I have a day’s worth of painting available for “free”.  I will have the pros to the bathrooms.  I also have a … Continue reading »